While fans have been able to learn bits and pieces about what to expect from the game, there’s still so much left unknown. Many thought it would have been among the third party titles at Xbox’s May presentation, but the game was not shown. At this point, Elden Ring has been in development for a few years, but it’s hard to tell when fans may get to see more of it.
RELATED: Elden Ring: Why George RR Martin’s Involvement is so Important
Everything Known About Elden Ring
For all that’s known so far about Elden Ring, it’s going to be billed as a “more natural evolution” of From Software’s renowned Dark Souls franchise. Supposedly, Elden Ring has shaped up to be the developer’s biggest project yet. Gameplay will emulate typical Dark Souls action-RPG gameplay whilst relying more heavily on RPG elements to add more strategic aspects to battle. Miyazaki has also confirmed that the game will feature an open-world or “open-field” environmental design, which is perhaps the biggest departure from Dark Souls’ innovative level design. However, Miyazaki clarified that the open world will incorporate more “dark, dungeon-like ruins” instead of an abundance of NPCs and towns.
Most of this information came from E3 last year, so since then any information related to Elden Ring has come from purported rumors and leaks. One of the biggest leaks detailed eight unique “kingdoms” that will serve as regions in the open world. Players will supposedly explore each kingdom to take on several mini-bosses and one final, multi-phased final boss that are supposedly some of the most difficult fights in a Soulsborne game. Character creation is also rumored to be returning to the game, to which players select a class that determines their starting kingdom in the game.
Many rumors pointed to Elden Ring being showed at an Xbox presentation at some point during summer 2020. Unfortunately, Elden Ring was not shown in the Inside Xbox May presentation for third-party partners, dashing the only confirmed hope for an Elden Ring trailer or info drop. Head of Xbox Game Studios Matt Booty did confirm that Xbox has another presentation planned for July, but it will only involve first-party games from Xbox Games Studios.
RELATED: Elden Ring: 5 Things It Should Learn From Other Dark Souls Titles
When Elden Ring Will Return
At this point it’s unclear when fans may hear from Elden Ring again. There are no updated rumors with any form of credibility stating when the game will make another appearance. Although the game was initially revealed for Xbox One and PS4, it’s very possible that the game’s release may be shifted to next-generation consoles, considering there’s only around four-to-six months until the PS5 and Xbox Series X are set to release. That’s not even considering any unforeseen factors possibly delaying the game, which has become a common occurrence in 2020.
Previous From Software titles have often come out in March, and considering it’s already May, it’s very possible Elden Ring could be shifting entirely to next-generation. Covid-19/pandemic concerns may have slowed down development in some fashion, but that hasn’t been corroborated by anyone familiar with the game’s development. Allegedly the game has been in development for about two years, as development on the game started shortly after the last DLC for Dark Souls 3. Simply put, the game just may need more development time before its shown off again.
At this point, unless the game gets a surprise release in between all the other confirmed titles coming this year, Elden Ring probably won’t show up again for a little while. The best hope is a Summer Game Fest showcase, replacing what would’ve hopefully been an E3 2020 appearance, but even then, we wouldn’t hold our breath.
Elden Ring is currently in development for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
MORE: How Elden Ring’s Namesake Redefines Ragnarok
